General Rules For Track Events

GENERAL RULES FOR TRACK EVENTS
General Rules and Modifications for Track Events

1.) In running events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m Relay, the athletes have the
option of using or not using blocks. In these events the commands of the starter
shall be “on your marks”, “set”, and when all competitors are steady, the gun
shall be fired.
2.) In all other running events, all walking events and all wheelchair races the
commands shall be “on your marks” and when all the competitors are steady, the
gun shall be fired. A competitor shall not touch the ground with his/her hand(s).
3.) The starter may give the commands in English or his/her own language.
4.) Starting races longer than 400 meters:
a. 800 meters distance: Runner will run in the lanes through the first turn as
far as the nearer edge of the break line where athletes may leave their
respective lanes.
b. 1500 meters and greater distances: A waterfall start shall be used.
5.) The starter shall give each competitor a chance to do his/her best by:
a. Giving the competitors ample time to settle down after taking their marks:
b. Starting the sequence over if any runner is off-balance; and
c. Not holding the runners too long after the set command.
6.) False Starts – Only one false start per race shall be allowed without the
disqualification of the athlete responsible for the false start. Any athlete
responsible for further false starts in the race shall be disqualified.
Lane Violations
1.) In all races run in lanes, each competitor shall keep within his/her allocated lane
from start to finish.
2.) If a competitor is pushed or forced by another person to run outside his/her lane,
and if no material advantage is gained, the competitor should not be disqualified.
3.) If an athlete either runs outside his/her lane in the straight or runs outside the
outer lane on the bend, with no material advantage thereby being gained, and if
no other runner is obstructed, then the competitor shall not be disqualified.
Race Walking
1.) Athlete must always have one foot in touch with the ground.
2.) In all race walking events, an athlete does not have to have a straight advancing
leg while competing.
3.) In race walking events, up to and including the 400 meters, the competitor shall
be disqualified with no warning when, in the opinion of two or more officials, a
technical violation has been committed that results in an advantage being
gained.
General Rules for Wheelchair Events

Athletes entering wheelchair events may also enter other events in athletics
competition. It is acceptable to include wheelchair athlete in the regular divisions of the
shot put, but the weight of shot must be the same for all competitors.
Main Principles for Wheelchair Races

1.) Athletes shall start with all wheels behind the start line.
2.) Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when all front wheels (two
or one) of the wheelchair reach the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the
finish line.
3.) Motorized wheelchairs shall not be allowed in regular wheelchair races.
4.) Only athletes who ambulate by use of a wheelchair may participate in the events.
5.) Athletes shall not be pushed, pulled or otherwise assisted during these events.
6.) The lanes for the wheelchair events shall be made two track-lanes wide.
10 Meter/ 25 Meter Wheelchair Race

Each competitor must keep in his/her lane from start to finish and may not interfere,
obstruct, or impede the progress of another competitor. Infractions, at the discretion of
the judges, may result in disqualification.
30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom

1.) Beginning at the start line, place one cone in each lane at 5-meter intervals.
Cones should be placed in the middle of the lanes (see diagram on page 8).
2.) Athlete maneuvers his/her chair through the course, going to the right of the
first obstacle and across the finish line without impeding another athlete on the
course.
3.) Knocking down a marker constitutes a violation, and a three-second penalty
will be assessed.
General Rules for Motorized Wheelchair Events
Main Principles
1.) These events are restricted to motorized wheelchairs only.
2.) The first two wheels on each competitor’s wheelchair will be regarded as the
starting and finishing points of all races.
3.) If a competitor varies from a sequence of obstacles, he/she must, without
notice from any official, resume progress at the point prior to the incorrectly
passed obstacle before entering the next obstacle and complete the course in
its entirety or be disqualified. In essence, failure to complete the course as
designed will result in disqualification.
4.) A competitor will be disqualified if that individual’s coach (or assistants) enters
the course boundaries during the running of the obstacle course. Coaches
may instruct from outside the marked boundaries of the course. Judges and
officials will not give directional cues.
5.) When submitting entry times for motorized wheelchair events, the entry form
should state whether the time was achieved with a “high-speed” or a “low-
speed” setting.
6.) Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when the front wheels
of the wheelchair reach the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the
finish line.
Motorized Wheelchair Slalom

1.) Each athlete will use two lanes as his/her lane, sufficiently wide enough to
allow for wheelchairs.
2.) Place the cones on the start and finish lines 2.44 meters apart (two track-
lanes width) to create four start and four finish gates and four lanes.
3.) Beginning at the start line, place one traffic cone (slalom flagpoles minimum
of 1.22 meter) in each lane at 5-meter intervals. Cones should be placed in
the middle of the lanes.
4.) Athlete maneuvers his/her chair through the course, going to the right of the
first obstacle and across the finish line without impeding another athlete on
the course. Knocking down a cone constitutes a violation, and a three-second
penalty will be assessed.
5.) No penalty will be incurred because of touching/ moving a cone.
25 Meter Motorized Wheelchair Obstacle Course
1.) Mark one box 2 meters from the start line and one box 2 meters from the
finish line. Each box should be 3 meters x 3 meters.
2.) Place four cones between the boxes, each 3 meters apart.
Rules:
a. Athlete starts facing the course.
b. The athlete completes a 360-degree circle between the starting line and
the first cone. Upon completion, the athlete weaves in and out of four
cones set 3 meters apart, then completes a second 360-degree circle
between the fourth cone and the finish line.
c. The box (3 meters x 3 meters) is used only as an indicator for the athlete
to complete the 360-degree circle. No points and/or time shall be
deducted for touching or going over the lines. The box can be outlined
with tape.
d. Knocking down a marker constitutes a violation, and a three-second
penalty will be assessed. Competitors who do not make an obvious
attempt to go between each pair of markers are subject to disqualification
at the discretion of the referee.
e. No more than three athletes, on a track at one time, per race.
General Rules for Assisted Walk

Athletes must provide their own assisted devices. Assisted devices may consist of
canes, crutches, or walker.
Set-Up:
1.) Each athlete will use two lanes as his/her lane, sufficiently wide enough
to allow for assistive devices.
2.) Place cones on the start and finish lines, 2.44 meters apart (two track-
lanes width) to create four start and four finish gates and four lanes.
3.) Beginning at the start line, place one cone on each lane line at 5-meter
intervals. Cones should be placed in the middle of the lane line.
Rules:
a. Athlete starts behind the start line with a walking aid.
b. Athlete walks using a walking aid.
c. Athlete stays in his/her designated lane.
d. Athlete may not receive physical assistance from coaches, officials,
etc.
e. Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when his/her
torso reaches the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the finish
line.
General Rules for Blind and Deaf Athletes
A rope or sighted guide runner may be provided to assist athletes who are visually
impaired.
1.) A sighted guide runner may not be ahead of the athlete in any manner. At no
time may the guide runner pull the athlete or propel the athlete forward by
pushing.
2.) A tap start will be used for an athlete who is both deaf and blind.
3.) Guide runners must wear a bright orange running vest so that they are
clearly distinguished from competitors.

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General Rules For Track Events

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GENERAL RULES FOR TRACK EVENTS

General Rules and Modifications for Track Events

General Rules for Wheelchair Events

Main Principles for Wheelchair Races

10 Meter/ 25 Meter Wheelchair Race

30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom

Motorized Wheelchair Slalom

General Rules for Assisted Walk

General Rules for Blind and Deaf Athletes

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